Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I thank Senator O'Toole for clarifying the position.

The Government does not have plans to nationalise any other financial institutions. We just approved a recapitalisation measure and we are waiting to see whether this will have the desired effect. If such an effect is not forthcoming, consideration may be required in respect of a further injection of capital. The option of nationalisation has not been considered by the Government in recent times.

Senator Healy Eames also referred to special needs and recent decisions relating thereto. The Minister provided some clarification in respect of situations where the numbers fall short of the 1:9 ratio, how classes can be combined and how certain children with special needs are identified as being most capable of being placed in mainstream classes. If the Minister is required to make further clarification to the House in this regard, then he will be asked to do so.